People from Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, and surrounds are invited to two community hui next week to view plans of the new primary birthing unit for Dunstan Hospital.

The meetings are an opportunity to see floor plans and an artist’s rendering of the Clyde unit, one of two new units located in the Central Otago and Wānaka area.

“I really want to encourage people to have a say in what our future birthing unit will offer for pregnant people, their whānau, and the local community,” Central Otago Maternity Unit midwifery manager Avril Robinson said.

“I am looking forward to seeing what people think about the design.”

Avril said it was an exciting opportunity for the community to work alongside the midwifery service and the architects in planning the new primary birthing unit in Clyde. 

Principal and lead architect for Jasmax Melanie Mason, and architect Jessie Sutherland from SA Studio are looking forward to meeting with the communities in Cromwell, Clyde, and Alexandra again, and working with them to refine the design further. 

They will be joined by Te Whatu Ora Southern primary maternity acting service manager Hannah Gentile and members of the population health and maternity team.

Earlier this year Te Whatu Ora Southern announced the purchase of the Wānaka facility, which is the first stage of the Wānaka Primary Maternity Unit project.

The new unit will be at Dunstan Hospital. PHOTO: Shannon Thomson

There are two meetings on Monday (August 22): 9am to 10am at Cromwell Presbyterian Church, and 11am to 12 noon at Alexandra Baptist Church.

An online session will be held on Thursday August 25. 

Invitations are being sent out via community networks; registration of attendance can also be sent to [email protected] or by completing this online form. 

If attending in person, please wear a mask, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene.